GOLDEN GATE XPRESS -- Fred Astren, Jewish Studies Department chair at SF State, said that he has seen various situations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on campus.
“ … I have seen situations, whether they involved individuals or campus groups, where I would characterize the presence of anti-Semitism,” Astren said. “I would also say I have seen the presence of Islamophobia on our campus as well. … The situation on our campus (in) regard to these matters needs addressing.”
Astren also said that the University’s leadership is needed now.
“After a year and a half of about what the right to protest is, and what the right of freedom of speech is, our values are not clear right now,” Astren said. “Nobody should have their right to protest something that they disagree with to be curtailed; nobody should have their freedom of speech curtailed … We need to have leadership tell us, convince us, let us agree with — what are the values of this community?”